Lara scored a first-place finish at the prestigious Southern USA Pro. Photo: Supplied.
A Griffith-born professional model has made a stunning start to her bodybuilding career, placing strongly at a string of prestigious competitions in the United States.
Lara Louise won a silver medal at a Gold Coast event earlier this year before travelling to America to compete in the Pittsburgh Pro Qualifier, one of the sport’s major international events.
She finished fifth in the Fit Model Open division before heading to the Miami Pro, where she placed first in Fit Model Open and third in Fit Model Novice. She then competed in Orlando, claiming another first-place finish at the Southern USA Pro.
“It was four intense back-to-back shows competing for one month straight,” Ms Louise said.
“I was surprised with how I went. They usually don’t like new faces, but the judges loved my energy on stage, so that was great.
“I’ve learnt so much and been thrown into the deep end of bodybuilding, seeing it all and experiencing it. Now I can implement that knowledge and skills into my own coaching for clients.”
While bodybuilding is often associated with extreme muscle mass, the Fit Model category focuses more on overall shape, symmetry, conditioning and stage presentation.
The competitions also allowed Ms Louise to meet some of the sport’s biggest names, including professional bodybuilders, coaches and Olympia judges.
A former student of Marian Catholic College, Ms Louise began modelling in Griffith at the age of 15 before moving to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where she built a career as a professional model.
Lara has captured a string of awards and showed them to her mum on a return trip to Griffith. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
She also works as an online fitness and nutrition coach and runs an Italian food business.
Bodybuilding is a relatively new pursuit for the 23-year-old.
“I’ve always loved fitness and, because I’m a professional model, I figured bodybuilding was a way of combining the two. You get to glam up and hit the stage,” she said.
Standing in a bikini in front of hundreds of spectators might sound intimidating, but Ms Louise has grown comfortable in the spotlight.
“I was nervous when I first did it, but now I feel so confident and want to get out there and show off my hard work,” she said.
Success on stage requires strict discipline, particularly while balancing work commitments and raising her four-year-old son, Orlando. She trains under coach Benquil Marigny.
“I train six times a week for about an hour and a half each session. It’s hard when I’m trying to look after my son, but I’m determined to get it done,” she said.
“The hardest part is the food. I eat five times a day, every two to three hours. I drink at least five litres of water a day and up to seven litres a day leading into competition.
“The only fruit I can eat is blueberries. I’d love to have chocolate, but that’s off-limits too.”
Lara (far right) finished fifth in the Fit Model Open division at Pittsburg. Photo: Supplied.
Despite now living just metres from the beach on the Sunshine Coast, Ms Louise enjoys returning to Griffith.
“It’s always nice to see family here, especially my mum Mel, who is such an inspiration to me,” she said.
While modelling is often portrayed as a cut-throat industry, Ms Louise said she has found plenty of support from others in the profession.
“I always try to lift people up with me. It’s probably different at Milan Fashion Week, but I’ve met a lot of wonderful girls in the industry,” she said.
After her successful American campaign, Ms Louise hopes to continue progressing in the sport and build her coaching business.
“I want to gain the qualifications I need to become a professional bodybuilding athlete and help clients with their preparation and posing,” she said.
“It’s amazing what you can build through bodybuilding.”
